[Antimitotic agents]. 1997

K Fukuoka, and N Saijo
Pharmacology Division, National Cancer Center Research Institute.

Microtubules are one of the major filament of the cytoskelton and play a role in various biological functions such as mitosis, cell motility and intracellular transport. Therefore, microtubules are considered one of the most important molecular targets for cancer chemotherapy. Tubulin is one of the major microtubular components, and its polymerization and depolymerization regulate microtubular dynamics. Other microtubular components such as microtubule-associated protein (MAPs), actin, and intermediate and microfilaments have also been demonstrated to be involved in microtubular dynamics. Recent studies provide evidence that the functions of MAPs and filaments in microtubule assembly are regulated by phosphorylation, which is catalyzed by mitogenactivated protein kinase (MAP kinase) and cdc2 kinase. Antimitotic agents that disrupt microtubules can be classified in two categories according to the mechanism of action, vinca alkaloids and taxanes. Vinca alkoloids, estramustine, rhizoxin, and E7010 inhibit microtubule polymerization. In contrast, taxanes such as paclitaxel and docetaxel promote polymerization of microtubules and enhance microtubule stability. We have demonstrated that paclitaxel inhibits the catalytic activity of MAP kinase and cdc2 kinase in lung cancer cell lines. This biological effect may be responsible for the increased affinity between MAP2 and tubulins, resulting in promotion of microtubule assembly. Factors that contribute to the resistance to antimitotic agents include intracellular accumulation of the drugs, genetic or functional alternations in tubulin, and alternations in MAP kinase cascade. Antimitotic agents showed a broad spectrum of preclinical antitumor activity. Clinical trials of taxanes revealed that they were effective for several cancers which were advanced or resistant against other anticancer drugs, especially for breast cancers, ovarian cancers and non-small cell lung cancers.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008175 Lung Neoplasms Tumors or cancer of the LUNG. Cancer of Lung,Lung Cancer,Pulmonary Cancer,Pulmonary Neoplasms,Cancer of the Lung,Neoplasms, Lung,Neoplasms, Pulmonary,Cancer, Lung,Cancer, Pulmonary,Cancers, Lung,Cancers, Pulmonary,Lung Cancers,Lung Neoplasm,Neoplasm, Lung,Neoplasm, Pulmonary,Pulmonary Cancers,Pulmonary Neoplasm
D008870 Microtubules Slender, cylindrical filaments found in the cytoskeleton of plant and animal cells. They are composed of the protein TUBULIN and are influenced by TUBULIN MODULATORS. Microtubule
D010051 Ovarian Neoplasms Tumors or cancer of the OVARY. These neoplasms can be benign or malignant. They are classified according to the tissue of origin, such as the surface EPITHELIUM, the stromal endocrine cells, and the totipotent GERM CELLS. Cancer of Ovary,Ovarian Cancer,Cancer of the Ovary,Neoplasms, Ovarian,Ovary Cancer,Ovary Neoplasms,Cancer, Ovarian,Cancer, Ovary,Cancers, Ovarian,Cancers, Ovary,Neoplasm, Ovarian,Neoplasm, Ovary,Neoplasms, Ovary,Ovarian Cancers,Ovarian Neoplasm,Ovary Cancers,Ovary Neoplasm
D001943 Breast Neoplasms Tumors or cancer of the human BREAST. Breast Cancer,Breast Tumors,Cancer of Breast,Breast Carcinoma,Cancer of the Breast,Human Mammary Carcinoma,Malignant Neoplasm of Breast,Malignant Tumor of Breast,Mammary Cancer,Mammary Carcinoma, Human,Mammary Neoplasm, Human,Mammary Neoplasms, Human,Neoplasms, Breast,Tumors, Breast,Breast Carcinomas,Breast Malignant Neoplasm,Breast Malignant Neoplasms,Breast Malignant Tumor,Breast Malignant Tumors,Breast Neoplasm,Breast Tumor,Cancer, Breast,Cancer, Mammary,Cancers, Mammary,Carcinoma, Breast,Carcinoma, Human Mammary,Carcinomas, Breast,Carcinomas, Human Mammary,Human Mammary Carcinomas,Human Mammary Neoplasm,Human Mammary Neoplasms,Mammary Cancers,Mammary Carcinomas, Human,Neoplasm, Breast,Neoplasm, Human Mammary,Neoplasms, Human Mammary,Tumor, Breast
D004961 Estramustine A nitrogen mustard linked to estradiol, usually as phosphate; used to treat prostatic neoplasms; also has radiation protective properties. Estramustinphosphate,Emcyt,Estracyt,Estramustin Phosphate,Estramustine Phosphate Sodium,Leo-275,NSC-89199,Leo 275,Leo275,NSC 89199,NSC89199,Phosphate Sodium, Estramustine,Phosphate, Estramustin
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D000970 Antineoplastic Agents Substances that inhibit or prevent the proliferation of NEOPLASMS. Anticancer Agent,Antineoplastic,Antineoplastic Agent,Antineoplastic Drug,Antitumor Agent,Antitumor Drug,Cancer Chemotherapy Agent,Cancer Chemotherapy Drug,Anticancer Agents,Antineoplastic Drugs,Antineoplastics,Antitumor Agents,Antitumor Drugs,Cancer Chemotherapy Agents,Cancer Chemotherapy Drugs,Chemotherapeutic Anticancer Agents,Chemotherapeutic Anticancer Drug,Agent, Anticancer,Agent, Antineoplastic,Agent, Antitumor,Agent, Cancer Chemotherapy,Agents, Anticancer,Agents, Antineoplastic,Agents, Antitumor,Agents, Cancer Chemotherapy,Agents, Chemotherapeutic Anticancer,Chemotherapy Agent, Cancer,Chemotherapy Agents, Cancer,Chemotherapy Drug, Cancer,Chemotherapy Drugs, Cancer,Drug, Antineoplastic,Drug, Antitumor,Drug, Cancer Chemotherapy,Drug, Chemotherapeutic Anticancer,Drugs, Antineoplastic,Drugs, Antitumor,Drugs, Cancer Chemotherapy
D000972 Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic Agents obtained from higher plants that have demonstrable cytostatic or antineoplastic activity. Antineoplastics, Botanical,Antineoplastics, Phytogenic,Agents, Phytogenic Antineoplastic,Botanical Antineoplastics,Phytogenic Antineoplastic Agents,Phytogenic Antineoplastics

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